Reviews

BEAUTIFUL HEART is a collection of heartfelt poems by my former student, Madlyn Epstein Steinhart.

Ms. Steinhart’s choice of words and use of imagery tug at the reader’s mind, mores, sensibility, and heart strings educing a colorful, broad palette of evocative human emotions. Her opening salvo in “Beautiful Heart” asks the reader to invoke common sense and sensibility, reminding us that “listening and not commenting” are critical necessities for successful navigation in the new world so dominated by raw, unfettered social media.

Steinhart invites us to partake in a love-driven journey, reminding us that emotional support might well be found if you “just look over your shoulder as well as into your heart.” Throughout her poems one may discover myriad nature-driven references to the infinite bounty and beauty of the natural world, openly paying homage to the many simple pleasures and wondrous elements that comprise the natural world and its inhabitants, particularly the birds, squirrels and, of course, the trees! She ponders, “How many creatures scurried across its arms to play or hide food?” In many of her insightful poems, one has a strong sense that she has successfully channeled a Thoreau-like sense of Walden appreciation in the natural world. Interspersed in her opening section are themes of personal love, the joy of birth, the sense of discovery, and personal growth from difficult lessons learned, remembering that “some will never change” and that “moving forward is up to everybody.”

In the second section, “Heart Ache,” confessing “I wear my heart on my sleeve,” Ms. Steinhart delves into memories of personal loss and grief, seeking applicable coping mechanisms, finding ways to deal with the challenges in achieving expectations. “What is small stuff to them is larger for you.” Personal loss is effectively treated in “You Had to Go and Be On Your Way.” She confides in us there’s “no long distance to Heaven. No visiting hours…We wanted you to stay. So much more to do and say…” BUT – “You had to be on your way.”

A further thematic concept treats the notion of human frailty. Some people “despite the need refuse to learn.” She notes the decrease in human face-to-face interaction and direct personal communication has been bolstered by internet technology’s impersonal nature so “people talk at each other and not talk to each other,” creating a world where crossing the line has become far too easy, hurtful words far too abundant, warning that “people with no filter need to keep their distance.” Ultimately, she suggests, “You have to decide what you want for yourself.” To “find a balance between old school and new school thinking.” BUT “Always find time to keep learning” and “If you open your heart, the rest will follow.”
In the section labelled “Heart Burn,” Steinhart speaks of how history, tradition and culture must be told, shared, and passed on “face to face” and “word by word stories to be read, shared, passed down and remembered. Cherished. This is how lessons should be learned.” She points out in “Hit Edit Button,” “Despite all good intentions…try listening with no comment of agenda their way of thinking” and to “think before you speak and hit he edit button.”

In “Release and Move Forward,” she suggests “Say what you mean not what others say and think. Think very carefully before you regret what comes out of your mouth. Quiet silence sends powerful messages very well.”

In “Heart Songs,” spiritual and emotional strength is a focal point whether focused on watching squirrels food gathering or at play, or even the rapturous joy of seeing a loved one overcome and defeat cancer. Ring the bell “as you make your personal victory as a survivor.” This conceptually plays well against her dominant theme of the love she has for her devoted life partner. She asks “Can I love you any better? I doubt it…I love you more than I even know. Better.” “Best friend and love of my life. Glad you found me and love me.” “What matters is doing the very best possible. Doing the right thing when the wrong thing is easier.”

Ms. Steinhart’s collection of new poems concludes with “Heart Strings,” a coda if you will, to celebrate lessons learned and loves explored. “Nature and her children sing and frolic.” “Everything old is new again. Refreshed and updated for now…Reimagination goes nowhere without respect for the past…Reimagination is in the heart and head where creativity dwells.” Steinhart admits she’s ”Been a rainbow chaser (her) entire life;” and happily, she’s “Finally got that brass ring.” She has learned the importance of “Holding on to promises kept and memories yet to be fulfilled…(remembering) how we arrived here and where we have yet to go….

One might easily conclude that Ms. Steinhart is quite “comfortable in (her) skin now. Respecting (herself) and others…Moving forward that which is planned, finding time to sit in parks or beaches, feeding squirrels and wildlife, letting it all go by with great appreciation and respect.”
The final poem in this impressive little volume, “My Body My Life” speaks to the current politically charged arena of personal choice, but from the perspective of one who has been physically and emotionally violated. One whose “body and life were forever changed” by the trauma of the horrific event. She ends it simply with “My body, my life, my choice.”

Coming full circle, BEAUTIFUL HEART, takes us on a journey across familial love through heart break to appreciation of new birth, to reverence for the natural world and its inhabitants and back to mutually shared love and joy. The universal themes Ms. Steinhart develops run the gamut of human emotion in this roller coaster of a ride we call life. BEAUTIFUL HEART is a quick, delightfully easy read, yet one whose simple words evoke and reveal a far deeper view into the inner complexities of the human condition, reminding us that ongoing participation with our fellow man, without the necessity or expectation of personal gain or reciprocity for anything we might do, is unto itself reward enough.